SHEEP AND GRAIN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 292, 30 April 1889, Page 2

SHEEP AND GRAIN.

Tas proposal to start a floar mill in the Bay, la what certainly should be upheld by the tarmare upon the flats, and their fellow, workers on the hills ought also to be very glad if inch a proposal were to become an accomplished fact. To those upon the flits i> comas (if they are prepared tn make full us* of it) as a great faotor in helping to produce the best returns from their lande by giving a market for grain, and enabling this rich land to be brought under a regular course of arable Cultivation, and while that cultivation is going on they have the very beat chance of fat* tening sheep to advantage by the judicious growing of roots and green crops, die. It will be easily understood that upon land which is under plough it would be better not to breed sheep, but to trust to the farmers in the back country to obtain their sheep for fatten ing purposes. There ia practically no limit to the kinds of crops that could be grown in this district, and a farmer, with osre, would be able, in a year, to fatten a considerable num her of sheep (which will flod a readv market at the fre-Zing works,) and at the sarn* tim--have a credit balance from ths grain growing. Il would most likelv bs a Ivi table to crop the land un lar th- Norfolk or four course system —roots—barley—seeds (clover)—wheat; is the principal of the Norfolk system ; the exigencies of local demand of course'rtile the actual carrying out of the cropping, but on broad principles it is advisable not to grow grain crops in succession. With a system such as this, more sheep could be fattened than if the land was in grass simply, and we believe the returns from wool would be augmented per head. Coming to the milling portion of tha proposed scheme, we know that reliable information can be otained in the Bay as to the most improved plants (roller mills) and the management of the newest mills which have been erected in the Old Country during the last few years ; there is no reason why those contemplating starling such an undertaking sh >U'd be long ih obtaining the technical information required. We are convinced that the starting of a flour mill, however small, (with the freezing works at hand) will bs a wonderful help to the district, and the effort should he assisted by every one, whether directly or indirectly interested—it means bringing into demand more labor upon the farms, and more laborers mean greater consumption Of food, &>, ; which must result in an improvement generally. The movement has our best wishes in every way.